Book: A Pillar of Fire

Introduction
"A Pillar of Fire" is a novel composed by Robert Quillen in 1918. The story is set during the early days of World War I and focuses on a Protestant minister called Anthony Godfrey, who is dealing with his faith due to the fact that of his hardships in life. The novel explores styles of faith, human suffering, social bias, and the battle in between great and wicked.

Plot Summary
Anthony Godfrey is a minister in the little, rural town of Greenville, who has actually been serving in the church for numerous years and has a deep and profound faith in God. He is married to a female named Ellen, and together, they have a young kid called Billy. Nevertheless, tragically, Ellen falls ill and dies, leaving Anthony alone to raise his kid.

Anthony's faith is shaken by his other half's death and the suffering he witnesses in the world, especially due to the continuous World War I. This struggle threatens to press him far from his faith in God. As he questions his beliefs, Anthony is approached by a mystical complete stranger named Mathias Thorne, a wealthy and charismatic guy who claims to have answers to the concerns that afflict the minister's mind.

Thorne represents the darker side of human nature, providing Anthony knowledge of a world free from the restraints of traditional faith and faith. Thorne questions Anthony's faith, suggesting that God enables suffering to exist which those who suffer are not genuinely saved by their faith. The unique unfolds as Anthony finds himself torn in between his wavering faith in God and his destination to the worldly and unconventional ideas provided by Thorne.

Characters
- Anthony Godfrey: The lead character of the novel, a Protestant minister who is dedicated to his faith, despite the unpredictability of the world around him. He deals with his faith in the face of his individual suffering and the bigger events of World War I.

- Ellen Godfrey: Anthony's wife who passes away after falling ill, leaving him to raise their child Billy. Her death functions as a catalyst for Anthony's internal struggles with his faith.

- Billy Godfrey: Anthony and Ellen's young child, who is left without a mother after her untimely death.

- Mathias Thorne: A strange, wealthy, and charismatic man, who challenges Anthony's faith and exposes him to a world of dark and non-traditional ideas. He represents the temptations and the darker side of human nature that draws Anthony even more far from God.

Themes
- Faith and Doubt: The unique checks out the nature of faith and the doubts that can occur in times of individual suffering and worldwide upheaval. Anthony's faith is evaluated, and he should confront the possibility that his beliefs may not provide a comforting or gratifying answer to the suffering he witnesses, both in his own life and in the world.

- Human Suffering: The story grapples with the question of why an omnipotent and good-hearted God allows human suffering, both on an individual level with the death of Ellen and on a bigger scale with the destruction of World War I.

- Social Prejudice and Judgment: The book discuss the style of social prejudice and judgment, particularly in relation to non-traditional faiths and lifestyles. Thorne represents a figure who challenges the recognized norms and values of the neighborhood, and Anthony needs to face his own prejudgments and stereotypes in order to comprehend and gain from Thorne's experiences.

- Good vs. Evil: The dispute between Anthony and Thorne functions as an allegory for the battle between great and wicked, with both characters representing opposing forces and concepts.

Conclusion
"A Pillar of Fire" by Robert Quillen is a thought-provoking book that digs deep into the themes of faith, human suffering, and the struggle in between great and evil. The story puts its protagonist, Anthony Godfrey, through a series of challenging events that evaluate his faith and force him to confront his inner doubts and turmoil. The novel offers readers with a powerful exploration of personal and spiritual worths in a world that is often unpredictable and filled with suffering. Anthony's journey towards discovering a restored sense of strength and faith amidst his battles acts as an engaging and inspiring message for readers going through their own battles with doubt and adversity.